Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1887-08-04
THE REPUBLICAN PLATFORM

The Republican party in convention as
sembled submits to the people of Ohio the
following declaration of its principles:
First-We are in favor of protective tariff
to secure to American citizens the privilege
of supplying every article which can be pro-
duced as well in the United States as in other
countries and sufficiently to supply American
wants. Such q tariff makes a demand for
and gives employment to the labor of Ameri>
can citizens, and thereby aids in securing just
compensation for labor. We denounce the
Ohio Democratic platform of a tariff for reve>
nue. only and which demands an indiscriminate
reduction in all duties on imported articles,
the effect of which would be to encourage
impOrtatiens, thus giving American patrons
age to foreign producers and foreign labor
rather than TO our own.
Second-While we sdbere to the public
policy under which our country has received
from Europe great bodies of honest, indus
trious citizens, wa0 have added to the wealth,
progress and power of our country, and while
We welcome to our shores the well disposed
and industrious emigrant. who contributes,
by energy and intelligence, to the cause of
government, we view with alarm unrestricted
emigration from foreign lands as dangerous
to the peace aud good order of the country,
and the integrity and character of its citizenN
ship. We urge congress 10 pass such laws and
establish such regulations as shall protect us
from the inroad of the anarchist, the COM
munist, the polygamist, fugitive from justice,
the insane, the dependent paupers, the vicious
and criminal classes, contract labor in every
form, under any name or guise; and all Others
who seek our shores not to become a part of
our civilization and citizenship who acknowl-
edge no allegiance to our laws, no sympathy
with our aims and institutions, but who come
among US to make war upon society, TO di
minish the dignity snd rewards of American
workingmen and DEGRADE our labor TO their
level. Against all these our gates should be
closed. But while favoring every honorable
and practicable measure to protect American
labor against the evil effects of foreign immi-
grafton and competition, we recognize also the
dangers which menace IT at home and con-
denim as hostile to its cause and as subversive
of its dignity and power, the bold and per
sistent usurpation In many of the states of its
political rights and privileges. The condition
of the men who labor in the north can not be
maintained or improved so long as the men
who labor in the south are wrongfuly depriv-
ed of the rights and powers of American cit
izenship. Their labor meets in close and inn
mediate competition and neither can be de-
graded without striking at the prosperity and
independence of the other. Recognizing these
plain truths, We demand q free ballot and a
fair count in all sections of our country. We
demand IL and will ever demand it AS the only
source of justice to the real producers of pros
perity and wealth and the sole security of the
republic and its free institutions.
Ghird-We deprecate national strife and di>
visions. We have placed the war, with its
hates and reVenges, behind us; but the settles
ments of the war must stand irrevocable-
respected, honOred and observed in every part
of the republic. More we have never demands
ed; less we will not have. Congress should eX>
ercise its constitutional authority, and take
control and supervision of elections of repre-
sentatives to congress.
Fourth-We demand such duties on wool
and manufactures thereof as will secure the
American market to American producers. We
denounce the demand made under Preaident
Cleveland's administration by the secretary of
the treasury in his annual report of December
6, 1886, for the Immediate passage OF an act
placing raw wool upon the free list, and wei
denounce the Democratic state platform
which ''proclaims its hearty and unqualified
Endorsement of said administration, and de-
mands reduction of the present" duties on
wool and on woolen and worsted go. DIS. Such
reduction would destroy the wool-growing
and woolen manufacturing industries, would
invite large imports, break down American
competition, and give Inc c@atrof OF ss.-ss-z-
ket 10 foreign producers who would ullimates
ly demand exorbtant prices. We earnestly
protest against the decisions of the secretary
of the treasury in customs cases in the interest
Of he foreign producer and foreign labor as
in opposition to the letter and spirit of the
tariff laws.
Fifth-We favor liberal pensions TO the
soldiers aid sailors of the Union, adequate
appropriations for the improvement OF cur
national waterways, and national aid tcedu>
cation. If too much revenue be collected to
meet these and other public needs, we demand
tn the first step in the reduction thereof |
shall be the abolition of the original tax upon
American grown tobacco.
Sxth-The public lands of the United |
States Should be sacredly held for the use and
benefit of actual settlers alone; and the laws
ownership of these lands by cor
Dorations and nonresident aliens should be
-igidly enforced
Seventh-While we condemn the false pre-
,enses of President Cleveland's administia
ion of the civil service law, we advocate the
and proper enforce ment of said
sw, and demand such additional legislation
IS will remove appointments from partisan
Eighth-The Republican party has ever
been the friend of oppressed nationalities, and
We extend our hearty sympathy to Gladstone,
Parnell andir the associates in their efforts to
secure home rule for Ireland.
Ninth-We condemn the action Of Mr..
Cleveland in vetoiDg pension bills, and ess
oecially we denounce the spirit manifested
,oward the manned and disabled soldiers of
he country in the language in which certsin
)f his vetoes are couched, and we condemn az
Unjust and unmeIited his veto of the depen-
lent pension bill, and declare that it was in /
plain violation of the nations pledges to its
defenders. and OF the oft-repeated promises of
he Democratic party of the north, made dur
ng political campaigns to secure votes. We
1emand of congress that it pass, and of the
President that he approve liberal enactments
the soldiers of the country, that
he helpless widows of the dead soldiers, re-
gardless of the cause of death, dependent
parents and disabled soldiers, shall receive the
)ounty of the nation they fought to save. and
which they richly deserve.
Tenth-While favoring all proper legisla-
ion to secure patentees in their just rights to
heir inventions, we ask such legislation by
congress as will provide that the holder of a
,stent shall have no right of action for its in-
ringement when knowing that persons are
nnOcently and in good faith using it, without
of the existence of the patent he
ails to give notice of his claim
Eleventh-We heartily indorse the aGminis>
ration Of Governor Foraker as wise, prudent
irm and economical, and we do especially in
lorse and approve his patriotic declaration /
hat no rebel flags shall be surrendered while {
le is Governor. And we further indorse and
pprove his prompt action in instituting re-
training measures to prevent tie unlawful
rider of President Cleveland from being ex-
cuted
Twelfth-The frauds, forgeries and crimes
committed by the Democratic party in Ohio
n the election for state officers and members
# the general assembly in 1886 deserve the
and execration of all honorable
nen, and We hereby commend and indorse
he action of the sixty-seventh general Assem-.
ly in preventing the consummation of these
rimes and in enscting registration laws ap- !
hcabe to the great cities Of the state, where's
y their repetition has been rendered impos